Mavs Fans Say They're Ready for a Repeat Championship

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After 149 days of waiting, basketball fans see an end in sight to the 2011 NBA lockout.

“I was so excited,” said Linda Peck.

“I was jumping out of bed and yelling and screaming.”

Fellow Mavericks fan John Torres says he could not have imagined a year without basketball.

However, downtown businesses that depend on the NBA games to bring in business haven’t had to imagine anything – the slowdown in business has hurt the whole staff.

“We don’t have as many hours to give out – the wait staff doesn’t make as much money when they work on nights that would have been Mavericks nights,” said Mike McRae, owner of Dick’s Last Resort, about two blocks from the American Airlines Center.

With games now slated to start December 25, Mavs fans know what they want for the holidays.

“I’ll definitely get down and get some tickets as soon as I can,” said Ed Perkins.

What will make it especially sweet, they say, is being able to celebrate last season’s championship.